Dolphins to conduct private workout with Newton

Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton has a private workout scheduled with the Dolphins, a source is telling the NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora.

Newton, perhaps the most scrutinized and talked-about player in the draft, also has workouts scheduled with Carolina, Washington, Buffalo, Minnesota, Tennessee, Cincinnati and Cleveland, according to the report.

What does that all mean?

It means Newton is such a compelling and imposing quarterback talent that teams at the very top of the draft are going to give him serious consideration. And it also means there is no clear consensus on Newton as a franchise quarterback type because teams slated to select well into the first round are looking very closely because he might be around when they select.

The Dolphins?

General Manager Jeff Ireland has promised to do all his homework on quarterbacks. Thank God! The Dolphins need a game-changer at the position so they are apparently leaving no pebble unturned and dismissing no possibility in an effort to upgrade.

Picking Newton, assuming he is available when the Dolphins select at No. 15, isn't necessarily an instant upgrade. Wherever he is selected, the chances of him starting immediately are slim. The kid is a physical speciman at 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds. He runs like the wind. He has a bazooka for an arm.

And having said that, there are questions about his footwork, accuracy, technique, ability to adjust to a pro-style attack after playing in the spread offense at Auburn, and there are questions about how quickly he'll learn to recognize coverages and be able to manipulate safeties.

So there's a lot to investigate on Newton.

If you ask me, I am thrilled the Dolphins are doing the work.

And yes, despite all the questions, I'd love for Miami to take him if he's available at No. 15. I don't think he'll be there.